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mug

n. · v.
US //ˈməɡ// UK //mˈʌɡ// mug
  1. 1 a large cup (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large, deep cup with a handle, usually used for hot drinks like coffee or tea.

    a cylindrical drinking vessel with a handle, typically used without a saucer for hot beverages.

    Example

    He filled his favourite mug with hot chocolate and sat by the fire.

    Example

    The office kitchen was cluttered with mismatched ceramic mugs, most of them stained by years of neglected tea bags.
  2. 2 a gullible person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

    someone who is easily tricked or cheated by others.

    a person who is easily deceived or taken advantage of. Often used in British English to describe someone acting foolishly.

    Example

    I felt like a bit of a mug when I realised I'd paid double the price.

    Example

    He was no mug when it came to business, but he often let his emotions cloud his judgement in personal matters.
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  1. 3 the face (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    a person's face, often used when the face looks funny or unattractive.

    a person's face. Often used in the context of 'mug shot' or to describe a particularly expressive or unattractive countenance.

    Example

    The comedian made a funny mug at the camera to make the kids laugh.

    Example

    The witness claimed she would never forget that ugly mug as long as she lived.
  2. 4 to rob someone (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to attack someone in a public place to steal their money or phone.

    to assault or threaten a person in a public space with the intent to rob them. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

    Example

    The tourist was mugged in broad daylight while walking through the park.

    Example

    Local residents are increasingly concerned after several elderly citizens were mugged near the subway entrance last month.
  3. 5 to make faces (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal Theatre

    to make silly or exaggerated faces, especially for a camera or an audience.

    to exaggerate facial expressions for communicative or comedic effect, particularly in acting or photography.

    Example

    Stop mugging for the camera and try to look serious for once.

    Example

    The lead actor was criticised for mugging throughout the second act, distracting the audience from the play's more somber themes.
  4. 6 to study hard (v.)
    C1 Advanced British English Dialect Informal

    to study very hard in a short time, usually just before an exam.

    to engage in intensive, short-term study or review; to cram. Predominantly found in Commonwealth dialects.

    Example

    I need to mug up on my history notes before the test tomorrow.

    Example

    He spent the entire weekend mugging up on corporate law to prepare for his final interview with the firm.

    Usage

    Often used with 'up' as in 'to mug up on a subject'.
Etymology 1

Early 16th century (originally Scots and northern English, denoting "earthenware, pot, jug"), of unknown origin, perhaps from North Germanic (compare Swedish mugg (“mug, jug”), Norwegian mugge (“pitcher, open can for warm drinks”), Danish mugge), or Low German mokke, mukke (“mug”), German Low German Muck (“drinking cup”), Dutch mok (“mug”), also of unknown origin. Perhaps related to Old English muga (“stack”) and Old Norse múgr (“mass, heap (of corn)”). Compare also Middle English mug, mog (“a measure of salt”).

Etymology 2

Informal variant of motherfucker.

Word family

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